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Three sporting figures in the spotlight this weekend

Sports Mole picks out three sporting figures who will be in the spotlight over the coming days.

We may now be in the summer months, but there is still plenty of action taking place to provide sports fans with their daily fix.

With that in mind, Sports Mole takes a look at three figures who will be in the spotlight this weekend.


1. Jamie Murray

Andy Murray may have crashed out of the men's singles on Friday afternoon, losing in straight sets to a classy Roger Federer on Centre Court, but Britain still has one hopeful left in this year's competition. Quietly going about his business, Jamie Murray has the chance to complete a personal family hat-trick of sorts when he and partner John Peers take on Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau this afternoon.

John Peers (L) of Australia and Jamie Murray of Great Britain celebrate victory in the Gentlemens Doubles Semi Final match against Jonathan Erlich of Israel and Philipp Petzschner of Germany during day ten of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the© Getty Images

Having already won the singles event thanks to to younger brother Andy's success in 2013, Jamie can now add to the Murray clan's collection by claiming victory in the men's doubles, building on his own personal triumph in the mixed event back in 2007. On that occasion, a 21-year-old Jamie Murray did not receive the plaudits he truly deserved due to terrible SW19 weather seeing the final weekend blend into one big blur.

Now, with all British eyes on him - including David Beckham who is expected to watch on from the Royal Box once more - the Manchester United supporter can become the first player from these shores since 1926 to have both men's doubles and mixed Wimbledon wins on his CV. Rojer and Tecau now await, but Murray and Peers will take solace from the fact they edged out the fourth seeds in Rotterdam earlier this season. A repeat of that result and history will be made.


2. Steven Gerrard

More than six months after announcing that he would call time on his Liverpool career to continue his footballing journey Stateside, Steven Gerrard finally makes his Los Angeles Galaxy bow this weekend. It may only be a friendly against Club America, but there is no denying who the main focal point will be.

New Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard is introduced in front of fans during halftime against Toronto FC on July 4, 2015© Getty Images

The former England international, who spent 17 years at Anfield as a senior player, is expected to play a big part in the International Champions Cup match against the Mexican giants. Frank Lampard, a close friend of Gerrard's who is also embarking on a new chapter in his career across the Atlantic, was also due to make his debut for New York City FC tomorrow night only for an injury problem to strike.

That means that focus will remain on Gerrard, with many wondering just what he can offer the Western Conference side in his dwindling years. Los Galacticos hardly made the best of starts to the Major League Soccer campaign, winning just one of their first five games, yet they remain in strong contention at the top end of the table. Now it is over to Gerrard to show that he still has the ability to make an impact, as the drawn-out preamble comes to an end.


3. Brian Smith

For the first time since Brian Smith took over at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats boss in May, the Aussie will face off against brother Tony this weekend in a big Super League clash at Belle Vue. Wakey, with just one win to their name in their last 18 league outings, must look to turn around their fortunes before the league splits at the end of the month.

Roosters coach Brian Smith looks on during the NRL trial match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters at Belmore Sports Ground on February 12, 2012© Getty Images

It is the first time that two brothers have directly competed against each other in the division's history, but this is about more than just the siblings' subplot on the sidelines. Wakefield will still be feeling the scars from their 80-0 reverse away at Warrington earlier this year, with the Wire running in a mammoth 14 tries.

Tony Smith's men became just the eighth side to reach the 80-point mark, meaning revenge is very much on the agenda for the Wildcats this weekend. They will need to rekindle some of the spirit shown against Hull FC recently when claiming a rare victory, otherwise things will look increasingly bleak at the wrong end of the table.


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Dominic Inglot of Great Britain in action against Farrukh Dustov of Uzbekistan on the indoor courts during a qualifying match ahead of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 7, 2014
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5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
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